Improvement in safety-stirrups for saddles



T, HARRIS.

Safety-Stirrups for Saddles.

Patented July 14, 1874.

aswas! THE GRAPHIC C0. PHOTO'LlTH-SQ in PARK HACEMJK.

UNI ED STAT S PATENT OFFIGE.

THEODORE HARRIS, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN SAFETY-STIRRUPS FOR SADDLES.

Specificatwn forming part of Letters Patent N0. 153,074, dated July 14, 1874; application filed May 12, 1874.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THEODORE HARRIS, of Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Saddle-Stirrups, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a side view of the stirrups. Fig. 2 is a vertical section. Fig.3 is an edge view. Fig. 4 is a top view.

Like letters of reference refer to likeparts in the several views.

The nature of this invention relates to a saddle-stirrup, and the object whereof is to prevent the riders foot from being caught or entangled therein in the event he should fall from the horse. The construction of the stirrup is such that the foot rest or bar thereof will drop down and allow the foot to escape therefrom. Said stirrup is an improvement of a former one for which a patent was granted to me March 24,1874.

The construction of the improved stirrup is as follows: In the drawing, A represents the bow or frame of the stirrup. The inside of each of the sides B are cut away so that they are made slanting from the top downward on the inner side, as shown at c in Fig. 2. To the sides B are fitted loosely, but closely, supplementary sides 0 O, which fit on over the sides B, thereby inclosing them, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Said supplementary sides 0 G are pivoted to the sides B at the points a, whereas the lower ends are left free to move in direction of the bar or foot-rest D. One end of said bar or foot-rest is pivoted to the lower end of the supplementary side U at b, Fig. 1, and thereby supported. The opposite end of the bar is supported by the supplementary side 0 by a nib, E, Fig. 2,.proiecting from the end of the bar into a mortise made in the end of the supplementary side 0, as shown in said Fig. 2. On the inside of each of the sides B is a nib, c, Fig. 2, around which is coiled a spring, F, whereby the supplementary sides are forced back from the sides B, so that the ends of the foot-rest may engage the side by the nib E being forced thereby into the mortise made in the supplementary side 0, as shown in the drawing, Fig.2.

The practical operation of the stirrup is as follows: It is attached to the saddle by a strap in the ordinary way. The rider places his foot in the stirrup, resting it upoh the bar 1). So long as the weight or pressure of the foot is downward upon the bar, the bar will continue in place, whereas in the event any sudden strain should be exerted upon the sides of the stirrup by the foot becoming twisted therein, the supplementary sides will yield to such pressure and move toward the sides B, thereby allowing the unpivoted end of the bar to withdraw the nib E from the mortise. The end of the bar will then drop down, as indicated by the dotted lines (I, Fig. 1, which will release the foot from the stirrup.

It will be obvious that by the use of this stirrup a person on falling from a horse will not have his foot caught or entangled in the stirrups and be dragged along thereby, as the foot or feet will slip from the stirrup in consequence of the spreading apart of the supplementary sides 0 G, and the thereby consequent falling down of the foot rest or bar D.

In my patented stirrup referred to the supplementary sides E E thereof did notwholly cover the sides B when the stirrups were in use. The supplementary sides were sprung back leaving partially exposed the sides B, on which mud and dirt would accumulate and prevent the supplementary sides from moving freely for releasing the foot-rest. In my present stirrup this objection is avoided, as the supplementary sides cover the sides B so that mud, 850., cannot accumulate thereon and prevent a free movement of the sides 0 G for the release of the foot-rest. Also, in my patent referred to the sides of the stirrupson the inside were chambered out for the accommodation of the springs. This chamber in the sides made it difficult to cast the stirrup, thereby increasing its cost, which I have avoided in my new one by not making chambers in the sides, but instead the sides are slanting from the top down, as shown in Fig. 2. In my former stirrup there was formed a rib along the bottom of the supplementary sides to preventthem from being pushed back too far. This rib in my improved stirrup I have avoided, substituting therefor the nibs a, which also serve to retain the springs in proper position.

What Iolaim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The herein-described safety-stirrup,consisting of the frame or bow A, and sidesB B,

having slanting inside surfaces 6, supplementary sides 0 (-J, springs F, and foot rest or bar D, pivoted at one end to the side 0 of the stirrup and its opposite end supported in the side 0 by a nib, E, and mortise, in the manner as set forth and for the purpose specified THEODORE HARRIS. Witnesses:

J. H. BURRIDGE, A. F. CORNELL. 

